PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 26: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers prepares for the start of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center on February 26, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Lakers (34-24) look to snap their losing streak against the Golden State Warriors (31-28) on Saturday. The season series between both these Pacific Division teams is currently tied at 1-1.
Just when you thought that there was no way the Lakers would lose to a Suns team that didn’t have Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks, they find a way to get it done. Now in the midst of what feels like their worst losing stretch of the season, Los Angeles is once again in a slump and there are legitimate concerns about whether they can get out of it.
last three games, the lakers lost to:
– a celtics team without jayson tatum – a magic team without jalen suggs and franz wagner – a suns team without devin booker and dillon brooks
The Lakers’ next opponent is a Warriors team that will also be without two of its best players.
Despite being 4-6 in their last 10, Golden State, sans their superstars Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler, is still capable of surprising any team. Given how the Lakers are playing right now, this is far from an easy win for the purple and gold.
Expect Brandin Podziemski and Pat Spencer to take charge of their offense while Draymond Green anchors their defense and employs his usual tactics. The Lakers will absolutely need to step up their game for this one and answer some important questions.
Will the Birthday boy, Luka Dončić, get some help from his teammates? Can Deandre Ayton step out of his funk? LeBron James and Austin Reaves usually play the Warriors very well, so will that be the case again? Can the role players contribute more? And finally, will the Lakers play like a team that’s worth being hopeful about?
Notes and Updates
For the Lakers’ injury report, Rui Hachimura is listed as doubtful due to illness.
Adou Thiero (G-League) and Bronny James Jr., (G-League) are with the South Bay Lakers.
As for the Warriors, Jimmy Butler (ACL surgery), Stephen Curry (patellofemoral pain syndrome) and Seth Curry (left sciatic nerve irritation) are out.
Draymond Green (lower back injury) is probable while Kristaps Porzingis (illness) is questionable.
DETROIT, MI - FEBRUARY 27: Daniss Jenkins #24 of the Detroit Pistons drives to the basket during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on February 27, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
As Snoop Pierson said in a late-season episode of The Wire, “Deserve aint got nothing to do with it.” (Yes, I am an elder millennial, why do you ask?). Anyway, the Detroit Pistons didn’t play well, but they did escape a game against an undermanned Cleveland Cavaliers team in OT 122-119.
Jalen Duren was brilliant, scoring 33 points to go with 16 rebounds and three blocks. With his performance tonight, he becomes the first Pistons player to score at least 25 points and secure at least 10 rebounds in four straight games since Bob MacAdoo in 1980.
It was a cursed game from the beginning. The Pistons played poorly on both ends of the floor for nearly all of the game’s first 48 minutes. Cade Cunningham had some nice individual scoring plays in the first half, but there was no cohesion among any combination of Pistons players, and Detroit was a step slow all night. And that was against a Cavs team missing both Donovan Mitchell and James Harden.
That allowed other players to step up for Cleveland, and step up they did. Jarrett Allen led the team with 25 points, including several nice running floaters. Evan Mobley netted 23, including sinking four threes, and Sam Merrill had 20, also sinking four from deep. Those combined eight threes were two more than the entire Pistons team managed.
Had Detroit lost, the game would have been epitomized by two things. The first is a bizarre 12-minute delay when the horn wouldn’t shut off, and the only solution was to completely shut down the giant display board above center court.
Detroit was playing such an ugly brand of basketball, it actually felt like a bit of a respite. The second key development was late in the game when Detroit’s two stars — Cade Cunningham (25 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists) and Duren — missed five of six free throws during a pivotal stretch in the fourth quarter. Those shots loomed large as the Pistons attempted to claw their way back into a game the Cavs were leading by nine with 2:44 left.
But a Duncan Robinson three and an Ausar Thompson backcourt steal that led to an easy dunk cut the deficit to four. The Pistons had signs of life, but then took another huge blow when Cunningham fouled out with 1:56 remaining.
After Jarrett Allen and Thompson traded free throws, Tobias Harris picked off the inbounds pass and sailed in for another dunk to cut it to two.
It seemed as if the momentum had completely turned when Jaylen Tyson was called for an offensive foul on the ensuing inbounds play after a hard shove to Robinson. But the Cavs challenged the call, and the play was reversed because Robinson was holding onto Tyson’s jersey before the shove. That was ruled a dead-ball foul, which was a huge turn. That gave Cleveland one free throw (made by Sam Merrill) and the ball. Evan Mobley missed a three-pointer on the possession, which allowed Detroit to stay in the game.
Suddenly, the Pistons found themselves down three with five seconds left. Daniss Jenkins took the inbounds and streaked up the court, going into his shooting motion almost immediately. Tyson tried to deliver a take foul before the shot to ensure Detroit could only get two, but the refs ruled it was too late and gave Jenkins three shots. He sank all three at the line. Improbably, the Pistons tied the game and forced overtime.
Duren and Jenkins took that momentum into overtime, Jenkins hit a huge bucket and had a big assist, and Duren scored a couple of baskets and had a huge steal that led to Tobias Harris’ game-clinching turnaround jumper to provide the final margin.
Somehow, the Pistons did it again. They escaped with a win, finding some reserves in crunch time when it seemed like they couldn’t do anything right. I’m not sure how much it means to beat a Cavs team missing its best players, but it was certainly Detroit sticking to its identity. They played hard and played together when it mattered most.
Feb 27, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13) shoots against New York Knicks guard/forward Mikal Bridges (25) in the first half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images | Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
The Milwaukee Bucks finished their four-game home stand with a stinker, losing in blowout fashion to the New York Knicks 127-98. Myles Turner was Milwaukee’s leading scorer with 19 points and four rebounds, shooting 4/7 from three. For New York, Jalen Brunson scored 27, but they also had six other players reach double digits.
Pregame, Doc Rivers highlighted the need for the Bucks to take care of the ball, especially without Giannis in the lineup. They did just that in the first few minutes, opening up with a five-point edge. They looked ready to expand on that lead, but turnovers on back-to-back possessions sparked an 11-0 run by the Knicks, prompting a timeout from Rivers. Milwaukee battled back, outscoring New York 11-6 to tie the game halfway through the quarter. However, Jalen Brunson continued to give the Bucks fits—as he has throughout his career—scoring 16 of the Knicks’ last 19. Stunning. Brunson finished with 22 after just one quarter, and Milwaukee found themselves down 38-30.
Even with Brunson going to the bench, New York remained hot from three-point range, beginning the second quarter by drilling their first two threes, quickly going up 16. After trading baskets for the next few minutes, Milwaukee started to chip away at the deficit, getting it to 10 after Turner completed a three-point play. The Knicks responded with a pair of threes from Brunson and Landry Shamet, before OG Anunoby stole the ball and converted on the fast break, putting New York ahead by 18. Turner did his best to make the halftime score look more respectable, getting to the charity stripe multiple times in the final minute or so, but a Towns layup in the dying seconds gave the Knicks a 77-57 edge.
Milwaukee tapped into their three-point shooting acumen in the third to try to mount a comeback, drilling their first three attempts. However, they were matched by New York, who drilled some of their own triples. The Bucks finally got some stops, allowing them to go on a 9-0 run and cut the deficit to 15 with about seven minutes left. But of course, their offense then went through a dry spell, scoring just one point over the next three minutes as New York went on a 7-0 run. The Bucks got their deficit back to 15 once again, but couldn’t follow thier scores with stops. Knicks up 103-83 heading into the final frame.
New York’s hot shooting continued early in the final period, as Anunoby, Diawara, Bridges, and Alvarado got buckets in relatively quick succession. The Knicks’ lead rose all the way to 32 after Towns drained his first three of the game—also on just his first attempt of the game, funnily enough—which just about ended it for the home team. Rivers called a timeout and brought in the rest of his bench to finish out the final six minutes. The Bucks finally ended a 4:25 scoring drought when Gary Harris made an uncontested dunk, but the game was obviously long gone. Knicks win.
Stat That Stood Out
Look no further than the Knicks’ three-point shooting tonight, going a staggering 21/41 for the game. Shamet and Anunoby led New York, both going 5/7 from deep.
DETROIT, MI - FEBRUARY 27: Dennis Schröder #9 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dribbles the ball during the game against the Detroit Pistons on February 27, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers lost to the Detroit Pistons 122-119 in overtime. This was an Eastern Conference showdown between two primary contenders that grew chippier as the night went on. We saw everything, from a 10-minute horn delay, fan ejections, and a half-court shooting foul. This one had it all.
Cleveland entered this matchup shorthanded. The injury report was lengthy, including Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Dean Wade, and Keon Ellis. Of course, Max Strus didn’t play either. This many key players being on the sideline could have resulted in a dull matchup. But the Cavs fought until the bitter end.
The Cavs started this game with authority. It became clear immediately that this wasn’t going to be a cakewalk for the Pistons. Cleveland established itself defensively and continued to get just enough offensively to compete.
Dennis Schroder has done a phenomenal job of raising the floor for Cleveland. They’d be hurting for ball-handling and shot creation right now if it weren’t for him. Schroder ran the pick-and-roll throughout the night and made sure the Cavaliers’ bigs stayed involved. His usage began to feel like a burden as Schroder eventually turned the ball over 8 times and shot 4-15. But for most of the game, he was Cleveland’s only reliable ball handler.
Evan Mobley had his best game since returning from a calf injury. He finished with 23 points and nailed 4-of-8 three-pointers. Mobley threw down several impressive dunks, including two separate one-hand jams over Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren. He just couldn’t hit the game-tying shot at the buzzer.
Craig Porter Jr. also deserves a shout. He relentlessly attacked the basket and found success dishing the ball to Cleveland’s bigs. Porter racked up 12 assists by the end of the night and has thrown 21 assists over his last two games.
Lastly, Jarrett Allen finished his strong February with 25 points and 9 rebounds on 10-12 shooting. He unfortunately fouled out late in the fourth quarter. And the Cavs simply didn’t execute down the stretch to close this one out.
The Cavaliers are now 37-24 and head to Brooklyn on Sunday.
Colorado Rockies outfielder, Zac Veen walks back to the dugout after striking out during the first 2026 spring training game at Salt River Field at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, Arizona on February 20, 2026.
Some big lifestyle changes have Rockies prospect Zac Veen tearing it up this spring.
Veen, 24, put on more than 40 pounds, going from around 200 to a strong 245 pounds, but the biggest adjustment came outside of the weight room.
“Definitely one of the bigger, main things was sobering up,” Veen recently told MLB.com. “I had a pretty big substance abuse problem for a few years. But I’m completely clean and sober.
“There were times last year where it was out of hand. Coming home in the offseason, I had to look in the mirror and make some adjustments. And I definitely got closer to God, and it made me want to be the best version of myself in every aspect.”
Zac Veen is pictured during the Rockies’ Feb. 27 game in spring training. Getty Images
Veen, the ninth overall pick by Colorado in 2020 and No. 11 prospect in the Rockies’ farm system, per MLB Pipeline, has not lived up to expectations during his five seasons in professional baseball.
After a long slog through the minors, Veen hit just .118/.189/.235 during a brief, 37-plate-appearance MLB debut last season, and he was later sent to the Arizona Complex League.
Looking back, he said, it was all about what was going on off the field.
.A lot of my meals were smoke — and things that shouldn’t have been,” Veen added. “I was smoking weed every day. If I couldn’t find any weed, I was drinking every single day. I’d say ever since I got home in 2021 after my first season, it was a consecutive streak of not being sober. Being able to cut that out of my lifestyle and replace that with protein is very beneficial to the genes God gave me.”
Now, Veen’s hard work and discipline is starting to show.
He is 3-for-11 early on this spring with two home runs, both coming in dramatic fashion.
On Monday, Veen blasted a 113 mph, 468-foot home run to center field to give the Rockies the walk-off win.
Colorado Rockies outfielder Zac Veen has two walk-off homers this spring training. Denver Post via Getty Images
He did it again on Friday, crushing a 447-foot bomb for a second walk-off home run in February.
Veen credited his high school coach, Johnny Goodrich, and Rockies development player development director Chris Forbes for getting him back on track.
“It was a collaborative thing – I can’t thank them enough,” Veen said. “I participated in an 11-week program with substance abusers and alcoholics – people wanting to better themselves. I started going to church. I got baptized, went to Bible study every Wednesday.”
Veen is facing an uphill battle if he wants to make the Rockies’ Opening Day roster, but it’ll be hard to keep him off if he keeps hitting the way he is.
Jaylen Brown attempts a shot over Nic Claxton during the Nets' Feb. 27 loss to the Celtics.
The Nets were locked in a third quarter fight in Boston when they rolled over.
They went from competing to quitting. And it happened in a quarter.
Brooklyn got shredded 148-111 by Boston before 19,156 at TD Garden on Friday night.
It was the most points the Nets had allowed all season. So was the 66.7 percent shooting they conceded. And the misprint-like 64.7 percent from 3-point range.
Not since 2022 had Brooklyn allowed that many points. Not since April 1, 2025 had anybody in the NBA permitted better shooting.
“It was a really, really poor defensive game, probably the worst of the season. I know we’ve shown better. So there’s something for me to fight for,” said coach Jordi Fernández, who has to teach his team not tactics but toughness. “Yeah, the teaching is not what, it’s how. How you present yourself and how you compete. And it was not good enough by our standards.”
Jaylen Brown attempts a shot over Nic Claxton during the Nets’ Feb. 27 loss to the Celtics. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The implosion happened quickly.
The Nets were within 82-76 midway through the third quarter and gave up an extended 48-13 blitz that lasted until midway through the fourth.
“Yeah, it was a complete quit when you lose by almost 40 points and they scored 82 points in one half of basketball,” Fernández said. “Give them credit because they’re a very good team, but we can be better than this. And I know it.
“I believe and trust in our guys. When we have people on our team, it’s because we believe in them. And I don’t know if they believe in how hard they can play, but my job is to show up and make them understand that we can play harder.”
Michael Porter Jr. defends Jaylen Brown during the Nets’ Feb. 27 loss to the Celtics. Imagn Images
The Nets watched Jaylen Brown put up 28 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, sailing through the lane unopposed. Nikola Vucevic added 28.
Brooklyn trailed by just six with 6:07 left in the third when they folded. They gave up a 48-13 run that saw them allow 16-for-18 shooting, 5-of-5 from deep. Defense that poor beggars belief.
When it was over, they were down 130-89 with 6:56 left, outscored by 35 in less than a quarter.
Michael Porter Jr. had 18 points and Danny Wolf added 16 off the bench.
The Nets (15-43) have dropped seven straight and are third in the lottery standings, two games behind Sacramento — one in the win column — and a half-game behind Indiana.
The Celtics have won 10 of their past 12 games and are second in the East while awaiting the return of Jayson Tatum.
Former Celtic Josh Minott had nine points, two rebounds and a poster dunk in his return to Boston after being the victim of a salary dump at the trade deadline.
“That’s above my pay grade. I was in Boston, now I’m in Brooklyn. I don’t know. I play basketball. That’s a question for my agents,” Minott said. “I got a different jersey on. Live, eat, breathe Brooklyn now.”
Grant Nelson, inked on a 10-day deal, made his NBA debut with 9:41 to play and scored his first points on a dunk with 6:35 left.
“It’s just really a dream come true. So I’m just going to do what I can, continue to keep working and hopefully do whatever I can to help this team win some games,” Nelson told YES Network.
MILWAUKEE — The Knicks went from bricking to clicking.
Three days after their frigid shooting night against the Cavs, the Knicks caught fire in Brew City — where it was an unseasonably warm Friday — while trouncing the Bucks without Giannis Antetokounmpo, 127-98.
The Knicks alternated hot streaks from their three best players. Jalen Brunson owned the first quarter. Karl-Anthony Towns took over the second. OG Anunoby put the game away in the third quarter. The final 12 minutes felt like extended garbage time before the inevitable win for the Knicks (38-22), who finished 2-1 on their Midwest road trip and were happy to go home.
“This is how we played offensively throughout most of the year,” coach Mike Brown said. “So for us to be able to space the ball correctly, make quick decisions with the basketball while touching the paint, playing off two feet, was huge.
“We got a lot of mileage just from playing the game the right way. So I applaud our guys for playing the way they did on both sides of the ball tonight.”
New York Knicks’ Jalen Brunson smiles during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, in Milwaukee. AP
Brunson finished with 27 points and seven boards in 30 minutes. Towns, the NBA’s leader in double-doubles, had 17 points and 13 rebounds. Anunoby had his best game since returning from his toenail avulsion, scoring 24 points while shooting 5-for-7 on 3s.
“It’s always good when you make shots,” Anunoby said.
The Knicks needed that good result. They were coming off that disheartening defeat three nights earlier in Cleveland against a rising Finals contender. Their schedule pivots to the toughest five-game stretch of the season — v.s. San Antonio, at Toronto, vs. Oklahoma City, at Denver and at the Lakers. All those opponents are top six in their respective conferences.
The Bucks (26-32), though, are just about average. And the conditions were ripe for a Knicks bounce-back. They had two days off before tipoff after a short flight from Cleveland.
OG Anunoy of the New York Knicks shoots a 3-point basket against the Milwaukee Bucks on February 27, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
The Bucks, meanwhile, were again missing Antetokounmpo, the megastar who sat his 14th consecutive game with a strained hamstring. The Bucks had been playing better lately without Antetokounmpo, but they’re clearly a couple of levels lower without him.
So the Knicks had a great opportunity Friday and took immediate advantage. They held a double-digit lead in the first quarter and led by 20 at the break. The same offense that looked broken in Cleveland was humming at Fiserv Forum.
Brunson brought his chef’s hat to cook. He dropped 22 points in the opening quarter on 9-of-10 shooting with three rebounds and two assists.
Towns picked it up in the second quarter with 12 points. The Knicks went into halftime with 77 points while shooting 60 percent on treys.
Milwaukee Bucks guard Cam Thomas (24) shoots against New York Knicks center/forward Karl-Anthony Towns (32) in the second half at Fiserv Forum. Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
It came after a hard and critical look at the film of the defeat to the Cavs on Tuesday, when they scored just 11 points in the third quarter — a season low for them in any quarter — while shooting 3-for-24.
Brunson said that defeat went beyond just missed shots.
“Let’s not be results-based. Let’s be process-based,” the point guard said. “And the process wasn’t there.”
The process looked perfectly fine against the Bucks — Brunson’s included.
“Our physicality offensively was there because we set screens the right way and then we played fast,” Brown gushed. “So it takes all of us to do it and when you do it and have one of those guys [like Brunson], he’s going to be able to break loose. That was good to see tonight.”
Friday’s game between the Pistons and Cavaliers was delayed for roughly 12 minutes — all because the horn at Little Caesars Arena would not turn off.
During a timeout midway through the third quarter with the Pistons leading 65-64, an electrical malfunction caused the horn to keep running, prompting officials to stop the game until arena staff could fix the issue.
“I’m here at the scorer’s table, and there was a complete malfunction electrical-wise here,” sideline reporter Jorge Sedano said during the ESPN broadcast. “You can see this gentleman here working frantically to try and get everything reset.”
Sedano added that both the clocks and the score went out across the entire arena.
“Clearly you hear the horn still going off, and there’s a level of frustration here trying to figure that out,” he said. “I spoke to both coaching staffs — [Pistons head coach] J.B. Bickerstaff and [Cavaliers head coach] Kenny Atkinson — and asked them, ‘Guys, have you ever dealt with anything like this at any level?’
“They both shook their heads and said, ‘No, this is definitely a first.’”
According to the Associated Press, the malfunction was ultimately caused by a power surge.
Fans across the arena looked visibly frustrated — as some covered their ears — as the horn continued to blare.
The game was delayed for roughly 12 minutes. X/SportsCenterA power surge is what caused the malfunction. X/SportsCenter
The delay was also long enough that both the Pistons and Cavaliers started to warm up again until it was fixed.
The horn finally turned off after 12 minutes, which prompted a loud roar from the Detroit crowd.
“There you go,” play-by-play announcer Ryan Ruocco said on the broadcast once the horn turned off. “The horn is stopped, and the fans applaud.”
For the remainder of the game, the scoring crew was tasked with using a manual airhorn while the arena was without the main scoreboard.
MILWAUKEE, WI - FEBRUARY 27: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on February 27, 2026 at Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images). | NBAE via Getty Images
Tonight at the Fiserv Forum, the visiting Knicks (38*-22) took on the suddenly hot Bucks (26-32), which we never saw coming given their gawky adolescent phase. Without Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Deer had won eight of ten and clipped some of the league’s best along the way. Conversely, the unpredictable Knicks had alternated between world-beaters and egg-beaters since the All-Star break. Which Knicks team would show up for the last night of their three-game road trip? The winning one! Final score, 127-98.
The Knicks started slow, but then blasted off behind Jalen Brunson’s 22-point first quarter. J.B. mixed it up with jumpers, multiple triples, and free throws, missing only one of his 10 field goal attempts. His roomie Josh Hart provided a three, a transition finish, and a block that sparked an improved defensive effort that included steals from OG Anunoby (24 PTS, 5-7 3PT, 2 STL) and Mikal Bridges (10 PTS, 2 STL, 2 BLK).
22 points for the captain in the 1Q 🫡
this marks a season-high points record in a single quarter for any Knick this season 📈 pic.twitter.com/OEflKydmSK
Milwaukee tried to stay competitive with buckets from Ryan Rollins (13 PTS) and Myles Turner (19 PTS, 4 RBS), but they mostly huffed New York’s exhaust. Although Karl-Anthony Towns (17 PTS, 13 RBS) was scoreless in the quarter, the ‘Bockers whupped the home team in the paint (12-2), shot 6-of-9 from deep, and committed just one turnover to Milwaukee’s five. Heading into the second frame, their lead was 38-30.
Congratulations to Cap for scoring 7,000 points as a Knick and doing so in 265 games. He finished the night with 27 points on 11-of-17 from the field, 4-of-6 from deep.
Jalen Brunson. 7,000 points as a member of the Knicks 🔥
He achieved this milestone in just 265 games, marking the fewest games to reach 7k points in franchise history! pic.twitter.com/lA0Ux2f9MB
To open the second period, coach Mike Brown went with Jose Alvarado (7 PTS, 5 AST), Bridges, Mohamed Diawara (10 PTS), Anunoby, and Towns. Mo buried a three to cap an 8–0 run and strengthen the case for more playing time . . . then the rook picked up two fouls and prompted Brown to try the Towns-Mitchell Robinson attack instead. Karl finally registered on the scoresheet, and although Porter answered with a few midrange jumpers, Milwaukee couldn’t trim their deficit to single digits.
When Brunson returned, the Knicks rolled on. They incinerated the nets, and their defense put the hammer down, with steals, deflections, rebounds, and blocks. A late 10-0 run pushed New York’s lead to 20 and forced coach Doc Rivers to call a third timeout. After that, KAT and Landry Shamet (15 PTS) stepped into the scoring spotlight, and by intermission, New York was up 77-57. That’s their second-highest scoring first-half total of the season.
The Knicks cruised through the half by shooting 61% from the field (59% from three, 13-of-22), limiting the Bucks to 54% overall, forcing nine turnovers that led to 14 points the other way, and scoring 18 fast-break points. They doubled Milwaukee in the paint (24-12), dished 20 assists on 28 makes, and blocked four shots. Milwaukee had zero steals. After two quarters, Brunson led all scorers with 25 points, and Turner had 18 for the home team.
OG Anunoby hit three three-pointers for the Knicks’ first nine points of the second half and scored 15 in the quarter. Soon after OG’s explosion, Brunson got dinged for his first technical foul of the year when AJ Green violated his landing space, but no whistle blew. Things got a little wobbly for our heroes. The Bucks cut a 24-point deficit to 15 thanks to nine points by Kyle Kuzma. Rather than losing their grip on the rope, New York regained it by returning to the tactics that had worked so well earlier—great defense, ball movement, and shot selection. In a flash, they went up by 22 again. Porter and Kuzma hit back-to-back longballs, but their spark never caught fire.
To close out the quarter, Mitch blocked Portis, and Diawara sank two freebies, giving the visitors a 103-83 advantage.
The fourth quarter began with five more points from Diawara and another Anunoby trey. Milwaukee got some push from Portis and Cam Thomas, but Bridges took his turn, splashing in some buckets to stretch the lead to 29.
With the game well in hand, both teams emptied their benches around the 6:13 mark. Tyler Kolek received a nice ovation. Jeremy Sochan, Ariel Hukporti, Trey Jemison, and Jordan Clarkson also checked in for New York, while Gary Trent, Jr. and Thanasis Antetokounmpo stretched their legs for Milwaukee. From there, it was all cardio. Great game, and just when we forgot how enjoyable easy wins are.
Up Next
Back to MSG to host the San Antonio Spurs in an early matinee. Safe travels, Knickerbockers.
The Kings’ mascot gave up his jersey number for Artemi Panarin, and in return, the ex-Rangers star decided to ice him out.
Panarin, who was traded to the Kings shortly before the Olympic break earlier this month, was looking to adopt the jersey No. 72 upon arriving in Los Angeles. But the number was already taken by the team’s mascot, Bailey.
A number trade then commenced between the two parties, with Panarin giving the mascot a Rolex watch in return for the No. 72 jersey, with the Kings posting the exchange on social media Friday.
Since the two will never be on the ice at the same time, Bailey will continue to wear the number in the stands, which seems to be a clear win-win for the mascot.
The reason behind Bailey wearing No. 72 is “because it’s always 72 degrees in Los Angeles,” according to NHL.com.
Bailey got a Rolex in exchange for allowing Artemi Paranin to wear the No. 72 jersey. LA Kings on X
After agreeing to waive his no-movement clause with the Rangers, the 34-year-old Panarin said he “tried to find a team for myself that was where I wanted to be” while facilitating the trade to Los Angeles.
The Rangers shipped Panarin off to the Kings on Feb. 4, getting prospect Liam Greentree and a conditional draft pick in return.
Upon acquiring Panarin, the Kings signed him to a two-year, $22 million contract extension.
The Kings signed Panarin to a two-year $22 million contract extension. LA Kings on X
Despite his breakup with the Blueshirts, Panarin said that he was “pretty proud” to don the Rangers jersey and made some good memories while on the team.
“Six-and-a-half seasons is a pretty long time [to be in New York]. … A lot of good memories, a couple [Eastern] Conference finals. It was a great group of guys,” Panarin told reporters on Feb. 6. “I was pretty proud to wear [the Rangers’] jersey.
“And thank you to the fans. I have to make a video, actually.”
SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Alex Lyon made 27 saves to beat his former Florida teammates for the second this month, helping the Buffalo Sabres top the Panthers 3-2 on Friday night for their eighth victory in 11 games.
Lyon played for the Panthers during the 2022-23 season. He has won two of his past four starts — both against Florida.
Beck Malenstyn gave Buffalo a 2-1 lead with 8:22 left, sending a slap shot from the point through traffic and past Daniil Tarasov. Florida challenged for goalie interference after Buffalo defenseman Mattias Samuelsson’s stick made contact with Tarasov’s glove, but the goal stood.
The Sabres won 2-1 at New Jersey on Wednesday night in their return from the Olympic break. They are tied with Detroit for second place in the Atlantic Division. Buffalo has missed the playoffs an NHL-record 14 straight years.
The two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Panthers are in serious danger of missing the playoffs. Florida, which has lost six of its past eight, is eight points behind Boston for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with 23 games left.
Alex Tuch and Peyton Krebs also scored for Buffalo. Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Bennett scored for Florida.
Buffalo got a needed insurance goal with 1:17 remaining on an empty-netter from Krebs. Florida cut it to a goal with 35 seconds left when Bennett’s shot went off the post and Buffalo defenseman Rasmus Dahlin inadvertently swept the puck in off of Lyon.
Florida played much of the game without defenseman Uvis Balinskis who blocked a shot late in the first period. After coming off the ice to get treated, Balinskis returned and played one more shift. He only played two in the second and did not come out for the third.
BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 27: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on February 27, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
When the Brooklyn Nets first played the Boston Celtics this season, I wrote about how both teams were at or near the same competitive skill level. After all, it was way back in late November and Boston was a mediocre 7-7. They sat just two spots ahead in of Brooklyn in the East, and were still looking to find rhythm with a newly reconstructed roster.
What a stupid, hilarious assertion.
In the time since, Brooklyn’s been the Yin to Boston’s Yang. They’ve gone 13-31 while Boston’s gone 30-13. The Celtics are now knocking on the postseason door for a 12th straight season, while the Nets are knocking on heaven’s.
Sometimes, you just have to say it when you can.
But tonight, the Nets certainly couldn’t, not that I or anyone expected them to be able to. Brooklyn fell behind quickly in game no. 59. They turned it over three times in the contest’s first three minutes. The Celtics did what they do, and have somehow continued to do for years even with significant roster turnover — beginning the game 6-6 from deep. For Brooklyn, it would only get worse defensively from beyond the arc, but more on that later.
Josh Minott also played his first non-garbage time minutes in the first for the Nets. While Boston remained ahead during them, they gave us the only bit of basketball we could celebrate tonight. Early on, the 23-year-old put the athleticism that always made him an intriguing prospect on full display while creating for himself and others….
Nice job creating by Josh Minott, getting by his old teammate and one of the game's best defenders.
Seconds after soaring past Hugo González for a jam on the break, he went over Nikola Vučević and Day’Ron Sharpe for two more just before the horn. Minott finished with nine points and two rebounds in 16 minutes of play while shooting 4-7 from the field.
Following their new teammate’s lead, Brooklyn kept attacking the paint in the first half, even as Boston continued to advertise the 3-pointer as a viable offensive weapon. The Nets outscored the Celtics inside 32-22 in the first half. They pushed to the cylinder anytime they could on the break and weren’t bashful about attacking known rim-receptionist Vučević in the halfcourt either.
And while the Celtics still led at halftime by a 66-57 margin, shooting 12-20 from deep by that point, Brooklyn seemed to be making progress. Just 24 hours removed from a game where they lost the turnover battle 15-8 and finished -10 in points off them, they were winning it 8-4 and with a +6 advantage through two vs Boston. They also put the Celtics at the line for just 11 first half shots after giving San Antonio 21 attempts in the first half last night.
Nevertheless, Boston started the second half 5-5 from the field, jumping up by two touchdowns less than three minutes into the third. The Boston three-party raged on in the process. The Celtics went 5-7 from deep in the period, hitting skip passes and leveraging around screens like a well-oiled machine they are.
Between a quick five from Egor Dëmin, who was scoreless in the first half, and Nolan Traoré probing and creating, the Nets tried to hang around, but if they did, it was only by a coogi thread.
Brooklyn went into the fourth down 109-83. Then, after the Celtics started a perfect 4-4 from the field again, they were down 117-83.
So, that meant extended garbage time, and a look at a Net with even less experience here than Minott. This morning, Brooklyn signed rookie Grant Nelson to a 10-day contract. The Alabama product checked in with 9:50 remaining. He ended up tallying three points, dishing four assists, and blocking two shots.
That burn gave him 60 minutes played in three games in two leagues in three days. I think he’ll sleep well tonight.
Ben Saraf, who the Nets swapped in from Long Island with Drake Powell, also logged nine minutes down the stretch. His first few weren’t as memorable as Nelson’s, as he got called for an illegal screen just seconds after checking in. However, he did rebound, putting in seven points while shooting 3-3 from the field. Ochai Agbaji and Danny Wolf also combined for 15 points on 6-11 shooting in the fourth.
An honest man would remind you that all that production came against Boston’s deep bench guys, but the ultimate beat down Boston delivered should be sobering enough on its own. The Celtics had a magnet ball that never lost its pull, even as Jaylen Brown and Payton Pritchard tested it with “heat check” heaves. Those two combined for 50 points on 18-24 shooting from the field and 8-9 from three. Pritchard finished as a +40 in 28 minutes.
Even Ron Harper Jr., who’s appeared in just 14 games and 11-42 from deep this year, dusted himself off, came in, and buried a three in the final two minutes. The Celtics collectively shot a ludicrous 22-34 from three.
“Better technique, better knowing who the personnel is,” Fernandez said postgame. “And obviously, you know we were not good enough. When you shoot 49% from the field, 40% from three, and you turn over 11 times, you should be able to give yourself a chance or fight. And it was like a really, really poor defensive game, probably the worst of the season, and I know we’ve shown better. So there’s something for me to fight for.”
Fernández often talks about wanting to see that “fight” from his players. It felt like he missed that tonight, and it’s hard to argue otherwise.
“Yeah, it was a complete-on quit, when you lose by almost 40 points,“ he said. ”They scored 82 points in one half of basketball. Obviously, give them credit because they’re very good team, but we can be better than this.“
Final: Boston Celtics 148, Brooklyn Nets 111
Milestone Watch
Not much going on. Grant Nelson played three games in three days: with the Long Island Nets Wednesday and Thursday and tonight for Brooklyn. He played a little less than 50 minutes.
Meanwhile, over at Tankathon, the Nets are still third in lottery chances, but they’re now a half game out of second.
Next Up
The Nets will host the Cleveland Cavaliers for a third and final time this season at the Barclays Center on Sunday afternoon. Brooklyn hasn’t beat the Cavs since their hold skipper Kenny Atkinson took over the team in in 2024. This one tips off at 3:30 p.m. ET.
For the second straight year, the Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens will play a preseason game in a non-NHL arena. But the setting will be anything but neutral. The teams will meet Monday, Sept. 21, 2026, in Trois-Rivières, Que., at Colisée Vidéotron.
Last fall, the Senators agreed to play two preseason games in Quebec City in hopes of winning over Nordiques fans who've now been without their NHL team for about 30 years.
This year's Sens visit to La Belle Province is because Saint-Boniface, a municipality about 30 km away from Trois-Rivières, was the winner of last year's Kraft Hockeyville contest. Saint-Boniface, which has just over 5,000 people, received $250,000 for upgrades to Aréna de Saint-Boniface and $10,000 worth of youth hockey equipment from NHLPA Goals & Dreams.
However, the local rink wouldn't be able to accommodate an NHL game. So instead, it will be played at Colisée Vidéotron, which seats over 4000 people and is home to the Trois-Rivières Lions, the Montreal Canadiens ECHL affiliate.
So just like last year's matchup in Quebec City, where Montreal beat the Senators 5-0, the stands will again be jammed with Canadiens fans, although snarky NHL fans might also point out that's also true for the games in Ottawa.
“In Quebec, hockey is part of everyday life—from local arenas to the pride fans have in their favourite team,” said Simon Laroche, President of Kraft Heinz Canada om. [ress release."
"This pre-season game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Ottawa Senators for the community of Saint-Boniface provides a wonderful opportunity to celebrate hockey culture in Quebec as we mark the program’s 20th anniversary.”
According to the press release, Aréna de Saint-Boniface's future was uncertain, but thanks to the upgrades, the community has a happy home for the next wave of hockey players.
GM Steve Staios says the Senators are always committed to grassroots initiatives, both in the Ottawa-Gatineau region and elsewhere in the country.
"We are proud to once again participate in Kraft Hockeyville," Staios said in the release. "Over the years, we have witnessed that hockey is part of the fabric of the communities that we visit. We look forward to the opportunity to bring Ottawa Senators hockey to these areas as a celebration of our sport and the Canadian communities that continue to grow the game."
The matchup is just four days away from the 20th anniversary of the first Kraft Hockeyville game in Salmon River, NS, which also featured these same two teams. This will be the tenth time the Senators have taken part.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — The Alabama Supreme Court has denied a request by former professional basketball player Charles Bediako to play for the University of Alabama again this season while he appeals his eligibility case against the NCAA.
According to online court records, the high court on Friday denied Bediako's emergency motion for an interim injunction so he could play again for the Crimson Tide. Bediako said an expedited decision was needed because the end of the regular season and postseason tournaments are fast approaching.
An email seeking comment was left with Bediako’s lawyer after regular business hours on Friday.
Bediako, who played in the NBA G League, on Monday filed an appeal of Tuscaloosa Circuit Court Judge Daniel Pruet’s recent decision that ended Bediako's temporary playing status with the University of Alabama.
Bediako, a 7-foot center from Canada, spent two seasons (2021-23) at Alabama, averaging 6.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.7 blocks, and helped the Crimson Tide make the NCAA Tournament both years. He wasn’t selected in the 2023 NBA draft, but played three years in the G League, the NBA's minor league.
He filed a lawsuit against the NCAA after it denied Alabama’s request to allow him to return to collegiate competition this season. His lawyers argued that Bediako remains within his five-year college eligibility window. NCAA President Charlie Baker and SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey have opposed Bediako’s reinstatement.
A judge, who later recused himself from the case, issued a temporary restraining order that allowed Bediako to play while the case moved forward. He ended up playing in five games. But Pruet on Feb. 9 ruled against Bediako, writing that the player “failed to demonstrate that he is entitled to the injunctive relief that he seeks.”
Bediako has been playing for Canada in FIBA World Cup qualifiers, including in Thursday's 96-85 win over Puerto Rico.
Alabama’s regular season ends on March 7. The SEC men’s basketball tournament takes place in mid-March, and the NCAA Tournament will be held from March 17-April 6.
The Florida Panthers are desperate for every point they can get, which is what made Friday’s result so frustrating.
Florida played well enough to win, but a strong game by the Buffalo Sabres and their goaltender, and a very questionable game-winning goal, led to the Panthers falling 3-2 to their division rivals.
An entertaining opening frame ended on a high note for the visitors thanks to a late-period power play.
Sabres forward Alex Tuch scored on his third shot of the game, giving Buffalo a 1-0 lead with 2:12 on the clock.
That’s how the score would remain until the latter stages of the second period.
This time it was Florida on the power play, and right off the ensuing faceoff, Matthew Tkachuk picked up the puck, went to the net and after a quick backhand-forehand move, popped a shot between Alex Lyon’s blocker and the near post to knot the score at one.
Buffalo took a 2-1 lead just past the midway point of the third period on a very controversial goal.
A point shot by Beck Malenstyn got past the glove of Daniil Tarasov, but that’s because Buffalo’s Mattias Samuelsson hit Tarasov’s glove with the blade of his stick a moment before the puck arrived.
Florida challenged the play for goalie interference, and after a lengthy review the officials decided that the goal should stand.
Photo caption: Feb 27, 2026; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers goaltender Daniil Tarasov (40) cannot make a save against a shot on goal by Buffalo Sabres left wing Beck Malenstyn (not pictured) during the third period at Amerant Bank Arena. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)
